lapbander081004

Well I'm not even thru my first week on the "Scale Challange" and I have already seen the benifits of staying off the scale. With the time I have available now that I don't spend it on the scale I have painted the Living room, laid carpet in daughters room, cleaned the garage, helped neighbor put up a garage. AND this is just week one. LOL Of course I am wondering what to do with all the extra 9 volt batteries I bought for the scale. Was going thru one battery a week before. I am looking forward to getting on the scale on Monday. Since my weight loss has slowed to 1-2 pounds a week I am really excited about see what I did this week. Good Luck to all on the challange Greg

Whip, Good to see things are working out for you. Good luck with the proceedure, all should be well and I know you'll keep us posted. See profile says your a published writer. I love to read so how about a name on your book(s) and I'll get it from Barnes & Nobles. Well have good thoughts for you on Nov 16....(actually will have good thoughts for you everyday but we'll have extra good ones on 16th). Greg

Saturday 7:00pm my glass will be held high for our Vegas friends. I'll also have Bond Money if anyone needs it LOL Those of you not already in the air on the way have a safe flights or drives whichever and have a great time. I'll be in Vegas in two ealry Nov. and just hope and pray they have the destruction repaired by then. Tip for anyone interested: Harrah's Casino has a bar with video poker machines on the first floor (about middle of casino). AS you look at the bar from the long side the poker machine just before the bend....I hit it twice in an hour for Royals last year and once the year before. ( know they may have replace/repair that machine but it was lucky for me) Wish I could be there Greg P.S. I'm also looking forward to pics.

Mags, I never would go thru the bariatric surgery and was glad to have found the lap band. Can't promise you you won't have pain but I did not. Had my band put in on a Tuesday and was back at work on Friday. everyone is different. Greates thing is if your having trouble the others surgeries offer very little to not change of reversiblity. The band can be removed in a simple proceedure. Of course I can't imagine it being remove you will find people on here who have had trouble and had to have it out. Stick with your attack on your insurance co. There is an area on here for people with insurance trouble. They have people that will help you so try posting a message on that board and see what happens. I agree that the people on her are friendly and extremely supportive. Wish I had been here before the surgery they would have taken the fears I had away. Good luck and hope to hear you got banded. Greg

Well did you not like it before??? or was it something you couldn't eat at first but can now??? I hated veggies before my banding and now I eat thenm like there is no tomorrow. I also find that the longer I go I tolerate foods that gave me problems at first. Maybe your just geting used to the mac/cheese. Greg

Welcome home, Glad to hear all went well. Wish you both a quick full recovery. You should have a long life together after all your banded together on the finger and at the waist now. greg

Gagirl, If you can't find the info on lapband here it probably doesn't exist. I wish I had known about this site before I was banded and I won't have put it off as long as I did. All my medical problems I have had recently are weight related and they are disappearing one by one. It is just great. Can't believe how much better I feel both physically and mentally. Dropped the sleep I need every day from 8 to 10 hours to 6. Much more energy. I have Sleep Apnea and have to wear a mask when ever I sleep. Now this is bothering me and I saw my neurologist about it and he has me going back to the Sleep Center for a re-eevaluation on OCt 31. He thinks I either need the amout of pressure turned down or I don't need the breathing assist at nite anymore. Hoping its the latter. I was scared also before my surgery and it turned out to be a snap. Had banding on a Tuesday and was back full time at work on Friday. Vertually no pain. Had my first fill last friday and was nervious about that. I didn't feel a thing and the Dr had trouble getting into the port due to how I scared internally from the incision. Had to make 4 tries before he got in and I felt nothing and had no pain at the site of the injections after I left the office. So sit back relax. make your arraignments and enjoy the new life that lies ahead of you. Other then marrying the woman I did, this is the best thing I have ever done. good Luck Greg

Congradulations LOVEMEACB4E. Welcome to the real world now LOL.. Hope you continue to have an easy recovery. I did Was back to work three days later. DeLarla... I always tell people if you want to see me stop by anytime. If you want to see the house call ahead of time. Greg

Well I used to be a "round" Now I'm slimming down... LOL Yes I retired as a cop 4 yrs ago. Was retired for one week when wife said "Ok enough" got get a job. Now I work as the midnight dispatcher for another Police Department. But to answer your question..Yes if any lapbander gets in trouble and needs bond money call me. My Number is 911 I trust you will all have a great time. Somebody take pictures and send them to me. Greg

Babs Congradulations on your success so far. You look great. Keep up the good work and have fun in Vegas. Wish I was going to keep you ladies in line. Well I'll watch the news see how much trouble you all can get into LOL Greg

California dan I have have been large 230-250 range most of my life. Then I spent 26 yrs as a cop (you guessed it them damn donuts) and I was always dieting with some program. Lose some here put it back there and so forth. Everyone here knows the drill. Anyway I didn't even know about the BAND until a fellow church member started losing weight and I asked him how he was dong it. Told me in confidence that he had the surgery. I asked him about it and he put me in touch With Dr Hawasli in Detroit and That was all I needed. My friend still doesn't tell people but I'm real vocal about it. The more the word gets out the more overweight people can help them selves get a grip. I know the band doesn't get rid of the weight its what is in the ole head that does it. But the band sure helps keep my head in line. I agree with most of the prior post about societies views on men vs women as to size. (size doesn't matter???). I also think more men have had it done then we realize just men don't like to discuss it as much. We should be like our female friends (although we can never be as cute as they are) and speak out and discuss not only this but other health matters and we could all live much longer, happier lives. Good luck Greg

Zoe, Shhhhhhhhhh Don't let my wife hear the band called a tool. She'll want me to build something. It is the best thing I have done too. Good Luck Greg

Deb, Don't be worried if your not lossing. No gain is a plus. Don't know why you stopped losing for three weeks but the fact that you haven't gained is very good. You probably need that fill. The dr will answer your questions. Just remember that this journey requires us to have a smile at all times and NEVER be discouraged again because no matter what happens it should always work out to our advantage. Good Luck Greg

Thanks Nightingale and Betty. My initail weight loss was far better then I expected but then I have gone into this program with my whole head and body. I have fought the demons and won so far. And hope to keep winning. Was very excited about this Idea of La_madam's. Was trying to figure out how to get off that damn scale LOL. You should hear my wife sigh everytime that little Ding sound comes on when its ready to show the weight. She gets to laughing at me so hard I'm afraid my scale hopping isn't healthy for her. LOL But this challange is very good Idea. THANKS AGAIN La_madam. Funny its only 9am here and I'm wonder what to do with all this time I have on my hands that used to be spend standing on the scale. Good luck again All NEW YAHOO MESSENGER NAME lapbander081004

Way to go La_madam Took me a week to read all the replays to your original Idea LOL But your right in two months I have gone thru 8 batteries in that scale. This will be a cost saver if nothing else. Ok I know its my first monday and I weighted myself everyday since I started process. So here I go jumping on and it says 269. Ok same as yesterday. So now I have to wait a whole week. There goes the fingernailds I was able to get back LOL Good luck to all joining this adventure. Greg

Sue, As you know by now everyone is different. I was banded on 08/10/04 and the only pain I had was from the co2 gas as it diapates in your system. But I knew I'd have this going in and was prepared and just keep thinking this will be gone shortly. Was banded on a Tuesday and I went back to work ful time on Friday. I had not actaul surgical pain and my incisions have healed well and I'm doing fine. Even had a fill and that was painless. Can't promise you you'll have same results but keep in mind I am the worlds bigges baby. I normally pass out at blood test. Of course now that you can see my veins in the arm maybe that won't be so bad LOL. I'd tell you if it hurt and I can only say it doesn't. I didn't know this going in and wish I had known about this site before. But I still wnet ahead knowing it could be painfull and all because it was the only way I was going to see my grandkids. Good luck and will think about you on Wednesday Greg

God is Good...All Day Long Best wishes for the two of you. I was banded on Aug 10, 2004 and have lost 60 pounds so far. Best thing I ever did. Soda was one of the hardest things for me to Dow But I got thru the three day headache from the caffine withdrawal and I don't have a problems now. I do like Cyrstal Light So that works for me.....and lots of Water. Don't know much about Mexico and the tipping habits for that trip. Well Enjoy your new life. Its going to change lotes of things.(for the better) Once agian good luck and we'll keep you in or prayers here in Michigan Greg

Hi Shireen I had my first fill yesterday and they put in 1cc. (doesn't hurt to have the fill). There is no normal amount. But I was having the same problem you were. I was fine till about a week ago when I started to be hungry all the time and when I ate I could eat more then before with no trouble. Had to fight the hunger pains but when I went to Dr and explained it he did my first fill. I was banded on Aug 10. Dr said the reason I needed the fill was the swelling of the stomach where the band was placed is normal after surgery and this swelling went donw as the stomach healed and the stoma opened up and the band needed tightening. Don't worry about the weight loss. AS long as the scale is going down its a plus. I have been lucky with my loss but now I stay the same for 4 to six days and I don't let it get to me. Remember this isn't a quick fix. Best of Luck Greg

Hi All, I have an "Apron" that would make a cook proud. And I know I'll need surgery to have it removed. CandyB...my insurance co has already told me that they will pay for it after I have been with the program for a year and the Dr request it for medical purposes. Hope my employer doesn't chage Insurance Company before the year is up LOL. Brighht you got my blood pressure up there talking like that But if we go with Donali's idea of a collage I'd be willing to enter mine in there too. Just so no one says were sexist. Well good luck all on this journey. Greg

La_madam Thanks for that kind word "WOW" lol. I actually started the lapbanding process on 07/29/04 which is my starting point for my weight loss. I was 330 on that date and 309 on 08/10/04 when I was banded. Today was my second visit to Dr since banding and I was given as fill. Over the last week I have been hungry all the time and I was able to eat more then I was. So he pumped in 1cc and gave me the Water test and Its back to where it was. I know the weight will come off slower now and my next goal is to be at 225 by Christmas. I see you are going very well with your weight and congradulations on that. Was easy getting the weight on and much tougher getting it off. Thanks again for your concern Greg

Just4fun55 You have selected a very good Dr. Dr Hawasli banded me on Aug 10 and I have lost 60 pounds. Actually getting ready to leave right now for an appointment for my first fill. He is painless with his proceedure and Your going to love your stay at the Same Day Surgery where they put you. Where you at his Conference a week ago Monday?? If you were I was his guest speaker. Had fun doing that also. Well good luck and keep us posted here Greg

Hi Nancy I'm Greg. I was banded on Aug 10, 2004 by Dr Hawasli at St John's Hospital in Detroit. Been two months since I started the program (went on liquid diet on 07/29/04) and I have lost 60 pounds so far. Started at 330 and now 270. Feeling great both menatlly and physically. Going to probably get a fill on Friday since the stomach has settled from the surgery I find that the food is not staying in upper pouch and I feel hungry all the time. This has been going on for a week now. I have handled it but want this corrected so I can get tid of the hunger pains. I just registered on here tonight. You are my first contact LOL. Hope I can learn this site. I work midnights and have time to float around and check it out. Well don't want to bore you so I'll end here and wish you luck in your journey back to sanity. Greg